Know How / Environment Must reads Practical adviceSee all AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONHow trees can enhance and support your farm businessWoodland and forestry experts urged growers at a recent Transition webinar, to look again at the potential benefits of strategic tree planting. Transition Project editor and webinar host Johann Tasker… ARABLETips on achieving healthy hedgerows on farmHedges are a defining feature of our countryside and one of the best habitats for wildlife on any farm. Far more than being a boundary, they also support farm business… LIVESTOCKHow feeding methane inhibitors can help cut emissionsMethane inhibitors supplied in feed rations could play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in ruminants. However, no one size fits all, advises Annie Williams, ruminant nutritionist and… BUSINESSAlternative land uses: Woodland creation - key pointsFinancial support for woodland creation and management in England is at record levels, so it could be the right time to consider this as an option. Talk of reducing sheep… CARBONCarbon markets: A beginner's guideThe UK’s carbon markets are growing, but there is confusion around the principles. Farmers Weekly asks CLA adviser Matthew Doran how they work. See also: Mineral rights - what farmers… BUSINESSRural housing: Options to decarbonise and improve efficiencyFrom period farmhouses to farmworkers’ cottages, rural housing comes in many shapes and sizes, but they all share similar challenges when it comes to energy. Rural properties off the mains… Case studiesSee all BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow sustainable farming is central to Raby Estate's businessAttention to detail has been critical as Raby Estate has changed direction and set about creating a more robust and commercially viable business, with an environmentally sustainable farming enterprise at… ENVIRONMENTAward-winner shows ploughing can go alongside sustainabilityCambridgeshire farmer David Felce has been named this year’s winner of the BASF Rawcliffe Bridge Sustainability Award, for his focus on promoting biodiversity. David, who farms with his wife Hayley… LIVESTOCKHow rotational hedge management is helping store more carbonHedgerows managed on a 12- to 15-year laying rotation store six times more carbon than those flailed annually, studies on a Cornish beef farm have shown. Overall carbon emissions at… LIVESTOCKHow a Portuguese green oasis inspired a move to agroforestryMike Adams had never seen the point in growing trees in fields. But visits to farms in southern Europe and Turkey proved transformational; he is now sold on their benefits… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTBenefits of sward lifting for profit and environmentA decade of sward lifting on a Cornish farm has prevented run-off after heavy rainfall, shortened the winter housing period and is helping soils to sequester carbon. A typical field… CARBONPioneering arable farm sells carbon credits to top F1 teamA pioneering arable farm in Leicestershire has become the first farm in the UK to sell measured carbon credits to a range of buyers on the open market, including the… InsightsSee all ENVIRONMENTWater quality and supply: Striking the right balance on farmClimate change and weather volatility pose major concerns for UK agriculture. In the past year alone, the UK experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall during the winter months, followed by one of… ARABLECan arable farms operate without fossil fuels?While completing his Nuffield Scholarship, Stuart Oates founded the Fossil Free Farm project, born of his belief that removing fossil fuels from farming is essential for future sustainability. Based at… FARM POLICYHow the Ffermio Bro agri-environment scheme is bedding inThe Welsh government’s agri-environmental scheme for its designated landscapes and national parks – called Ffermio Bro – has started in earnest since its launch in April. Aiming to encourage nature-friendly… ARABLEWhat's in the latest capital grants offer for arable farmers?A new round of capital grants worth £150m has opened in England, with arable farmers welcoming the latest opportunity to apply for funding to make environmental improvements. Against a tight… WEED MANAGEMENTWhy propyzamide use in OSR and beans remains in the balanceDelivering best practice for successful weed control with propyzamide while preventing it from entering water courses and reservoirs remains a difficult balance. What’s good for weed control frequently increases the… BUSINESSWhat smarter, fairer farm data means for UK agricultureThere’s no getting around it — farming across Britain is under intense pressure. Whether you’re in livestock, arable, dairy or horticulture, the challenges are piling up: rising input costs, labour… FARM POLICYNI farm policy shift creates challenges for livestock sectorSupport for farm businesses in Northern Ireland is going through a transition period, away from the old Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) system of support and towards a Farm Sustainability Payment… ARABLEHow cultivated margins help rare plants and biodiversityCultivated margins, or areas of fields that are cultivated annually, but not drilled, are one of the best ways of encouraging rare arable plants and the wildlife that depends on… Latest environment newsSee all NEWSBeavers now a protected species in WalesBeavers in Wales have been granted protected status by the Welsh government, making it illegal to deliberately harm them or damage their habitats. The legislative changes by Welsh government on… NEWSUFU dismay over lack of farmers on new pollution bodyThe Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has expressed concern over a lack of adequate farmer representation on a new stakeholder group tasked with shaping the next phase of Northern Ireland’s Nutrients… ENVIRONMENTNew EAT-Lancet report slammed for targeting livestockFarming groups have challenged a new report that suggests meat and dairy consumption must be reduced to address health and environmental issues. The latest iteration of the EAT-Lancet Commission report… AWARDSFW Awards 2025: Environmental Champion of the YearJonathan Chapman of Atlantic Angus, Cornwall is Farmers Weekly Awards 2025 Environmental Champion of the Year. Beef gets a bad name among environmentalists, but Cornish beef farmer Jonathan Chapman is… ENVIRONMENTInsect shift challenges claims of farmland-driven crisisEnvironmental groups have warned of an “insect declines crisis” linked to intensive farming, but new research shows no nationwide collapse, but complex, local shifts driven by urban sprawl and climate… WILDLIFEThink tank disputes government data on farmland bird declineA major government report suggesting UK farmland bird populations are in serious decline has been strongly challenged by the Science for Sustainable Agriculture (SSA) think tank, which says the data… AIR AND WATERFarmers form water abstraction group to protect suppliesFarmers in North Shropshire have formed a new water abstraction group amid growing pressures on supplies in the area. The aim of the Shropshire Severn Water Abstraction Group (Sswag) is… ENVIRONMENTKintore-Tealing pylon plan sparks Scottish political rowControversial plans for a new network of electricity pylons across the Highlands and north-east Scotland have officially been submitted to the Scottish government – triggering fresh criticism from the Scottish… ENVIRONMENTTory attempts to keep solar off farmland thwarted by councilA motion proposing stricter controls on solar farm developments in Rutland was withdrawn during a full council meeting on Thursday night (18 September), following strong opposition from councillors and local… ENVIRONMENTVertical farming's climate cost outweighs gainsA new study has found that while vertical farming can greatly boost lettuce yields and reduce water use, its overall carbon footprint remains higher than traditional field farming. The study… ENVIRONMENTFarmers urged to have say on proposed Glyndŵr national parkFarmers in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley are being urged to submit their views on a public consultation regarding the proposed Glyndŵr national park. The 12 week Natural Resources… ENVIRONMENTWidespread dismay at extended moorland burning banFarming and rural organisations have expressed their dismay at the UK government’s decision to extend the area of peatland banned from controlled burning practises, saying it will increase the risk… VideoSee all AIR AND WATERVideo: FW Investigates - would dredging reduce flooding?The past few months of relentless wet weather have again highlighted the pressing issue of how best to manage rivers and watercourses near farmland. Heavy rainfall events are becoming more… NEWSVideo: Farmer defends his actions on River LuggA Herefordshire farmer who was jailed for causing damage to a protected river has defended his actions, insisting they helped prevent flooding to local properties and land. Several homes along… SHEEPVideo: How a lowland farm is preparing for low-methane sheepResults from the first UK farm to test methane emissions in sheep using portable accumulation chambers have shown they were producing on average about 20g/day of methane and 1.2kg/day of… CARBONClimate adaptation and resilience within the farm businessOn Thursday 27 April 2023, Farmers Weekly hosted its webinar on climate adaptation and resilience within the farm business with the Woodland Trust. Integrating trees into farming systems provides opportunities…
